Stick handling training system and height adjustable base for use therein

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a stick-handling training system for use in at least sports like hockey, ringette and field hockey. The system is comprised of height adjustable bases and cross members positioned in those bases. The height adjustable bases are vertically adjustable between a first and a second position and elevate the cross members from the ground at heights that can vary based on the object used to be passed underneath in stick-handling training.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Canadian Patent Application No.2,992,873 filed on Jan. 25, 2018. The contents of the above applicationis all incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein in itsentirety

FIELD

The present disclosure is in the field of stick handling training systemand more specifically to a height adjustable base for use in such asystem.

BACKGROUND

Stick handling training systems are known and used by hockey playersaround the world. The conventional stick handling training systems arefixed systems for a certain height. Therefore, there is a need for astick handling training system which has an adjustable height and canallow different items such as a puck, ball or any other item used forstick handling training exercises.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a height adjustable base for use in astick handling training system and stick handling training system usinga height adjustable base.

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a height adjustable basefor use in a stick handling training system comprising: an outer shellto be secured to a surface, the outer shell further comprising: at leastone opening; and, an inner lip; and, an inner core secured to the outershell and vertically adjustable between a first position and a secondposition relative to the outer shell, the inner core further comprising:at least one side button lockable within the at least one opening; and,an outer lip positioned at a bottom end of the inner core, wherein thefirst position is defined as when the at least one side button of theinner core is locked within the at least one opening of the outer shell,and the second position is defined as when the outer lip of the innercore abuts the inner lip of the outer shell.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a stick handlingtraining system comprising: at least two height adjustable bases to bepositioned on a surface, each of the at least two height adjustablebases comprising: an outer shell; and, an inner core secured to theouter shell and vertically adjustable between a first position and asecond position relative to the outer shell; and, at least one crossmember interconnected to the at least two height adjustable bases.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will now be convenient to describe the disclosure with particularreference to one embodiment of the present disclosure. It will beappreciated that the drawings relate to one embodiment of the presentinvention only and are not to be taken as limiting the invention.Further more, it shall be understood that the embodiments are notlimited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attacheddrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a random configuration that may beachieved using the embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the cross member and heightadjustable bases, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A is a perspective side view of the cross member according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a magnified perspective side view of the cross-member endconnector as shown in FIG. 3A according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4A is a perspective top view of the height adjustable base in alowered position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4B is a perspective top view of the height adjustable base in araised position, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4C is a detailed perspective exploded view of the height adjustablebase according to one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an elevational cross-sectional view detailing a cross-memberinserted into the connection socket of the height adjustable base,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6A is an elevational cross-sectional view detailing the heightadjustable base in the elevated state according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 6B is an elevational cross-sectional view detailing the heightadjustable base in its lowered state according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7A is a top view of the height adjustable base inner core accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the height adjustable base inner coreaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7C is a perspective cross-sectional view detailing the heightadjustable base inner core according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8A is a top view of the height adjustable base outer shellaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the height adjustable base outer shellaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8C is a perspective cross-sectional view detailing the heightadjustable base outer shell according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9A is a top view of a height adjustable base according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9B is a first position of the range for the inner core of theheight adjustable base shown in FIG. 9A, according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 9C is a second position of the range for the inner core of theheight adjustable base shown in FIG. 9A, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention; and,

FIG. 9D is a transition position of the range for the inner core of theheight adjustable base shown in FIG. 9A, according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred and otherembodiments of the invention are shown. No embodiment described belowlimits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may coverprocesses or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimedinventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all thefeatures of any one apparatus or process described below or to featurescommon to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It ispossible that an apparatus or process described below is not anembodiment of any claimed invention. The applicants, inventors or ownersreserve all rights that they may have in any invention claimed in thisdocument, for example the right to claim such an invention in acontinuing application and do not intend to abandon, disclaim ordedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in thisdocument.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3A and 3B and according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, the stick-handling training system 001 isshown. The hockey stick-handling system 001 includes a plurality ofcross members 100 and height adjustable bases 500. In operation, theheight adjustable bases 500 are vertically adjustable and elevate thecross members 100 from the ground at optimum heights that can vary basedon the object used for stick-handling (such as a hockey puck or ball) topass underneath them. The height adjustable bases 500 also have multipleinsertion points (cavities) 521 for cross members connectors 110 thatallows a modular approach where more than one cross member 100 may beconnected to a height adjustable base 500 and the cross members 100 canrotate about the cavities 521. The connection interface between the twoparts is such that it easily enables the assembly to be lengthened orshortened as needed and collapses for easy transportation. The crossmember 100, as shown in FIG. 3A is characterised by its elongated bodythat has, at both ends, cross member connectors 110 pointing downwardsthat effectively act as the pivot and connection point with the heightadjustable base 500. These connectors 110 are further characterised bytwo distinctive features, the first one being the addition of aresistive member 111, which may be made of a soft-type material, thatslightly extends past the side surface of the cylinder 110 up to a pointwhere it creates a small resistance against unwanted rotational movementwhen inserted in the height adjustable base cavity 521. A worker skilledin the art would appreciate that a user may want some rotationalmovement of the cross members relative to the height adjustable bases;however, effortless and frictionless pivoting is not desired. The saidfeature is particularly useful where it allows for the user toeffortlessly place the cross-member 100 at a desired angle in relationto the height adjustable base 500 but also provide for a locking forcestrong enough to keep the connectors 110 in place, was the object usedfor stick-handling training to come in contact with one of the membersof the system 001. The second feature on the said connector 110 is thesemi-circular shaped groove 115 around its axis that works inconjunction with a locking feature (that will be further detailed)intended to keep the cross-member 100 and height adjustable base 500together in such a way that it prevents disassembly caused by a verticalmotion. For example, if the system 001 is picked up by the user grabbingthe cross-members 100 only, this locking feature will prevent the heightadjustable bases 500 from falling down or being otherwise detached fromthe system 001.

With reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C and according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the height adjustable base 500 is shown in itslowered position, raised position and exploded position, respectively.The height adjustable base 500 can be raised up to increase clearancebetween the training ground and the cross-member 100, thus allowing auser to train with a wide variety of objects; whether it be low-laying(e.g. a hockey puck) or requiring additional clearance (e.g. ball). Theheight adjustable base 500 also features more than two cavities 521where the cross-members 100 can be docked, allowing for a modularapproach and enabling users to develop more intricate training patternsthan when using a traditional chain-type product. The exploded viewshown in FIG. 4C specifically displays the individual components makingup the height adjustable base 500: the outer shell 510, the inner core520, the base feet 530 and ice spikes 540.

With reference to FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, 7A, 7B and 7C and according to theembodiment of the present disclosure, the inner core 520 ischaracterized by the cylindrical cavities 521 having an opening on anupper surface of the inner cores 520, the cavities 521 used asconnection points for the cross-member connectors 110. Those cavities521 are each featuring a tab 522 that includes a protrusion 523 which,when a cross-member 100 is inserted, sits within the locking groove 115of the cross-member connector 110, effectively preventing both thecross-member 100 and the height adjustable bases 500 to be separatedwhen a force is applied along the axis of the cylindrical cavity 521while still allowing for rotational movement about the said axis. Theshape of the protrusion 523 corresponds to the cylindrical cavity wall525, and slits 524 positioned on each side of the tabs 522 grantindependent movement of the tab 522 from the cylindrical wall 525. Thetab 522 also extends beyond a bottom surface of the cavity 526 so thatthe user can release the cross-member 100 from the height adjustablebases 500 by pushing the tab 522 away from the center of the cavity 521.The inner core 520 also features at least two buttons 527, located onopposite sides of the inner core 520, that extend slightly beyond thevertical sides 528 of the inner core 520. The buttons 527 are used tolock the inner core 520 in position in relation to the outer shell 510in either the raised position (as shown in FIG. 6A) or the loweredposition (as shown in FIG. 6B). When in the raised position, the button527 of the inner core 520 sits atop of an upper edge 511 of the outershell 510. In the lowered position, the openings 512, which arepositioned on either side of the outer shell 510 and have acorresponding shape to that of the buttons 527, are pivotable about anaxis and biased outwardly to allow for the buttons 527 to spring back inthe rest position, keeping the inner core 520 in place in relation tothe outer shell 510.

With reference to FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C and according to an embodiment ofthe present disclosure, the outer shell 510 features an opening 513 atthe top, the opening 513 having a geometry corresponding to that of theinner core 520 to allows for the inner core 520 to slide within theouter shell 510. The internal sides 514 of the outer shell are verticaland act as a sliding guide for the inner core 520. The openings 512 arelocated on each side of the outer shell 510 in a manner that when theinner core 520 is in the lowered position, the side buttons 527 arereleased within those holes 512 and the top surfaces 501 of both theinner core 520 and outer shell 510 are flush and therefore sharing thesame plane. The outer shell 510 also features feet 530 made of a softmaterial (e.g. rubber, or polyethylene) that provide grip to hold theapparatus 001 in place when in use on hard training surfaces. Insituations where the height adjustable bases 500 are resting on slipperysurfaces such as ice, sharp-tipped screws (ice spikes) 540, threadedinto the outer shell 510, may be raised or lowered as deemed necessaryby the user.

With reference to FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C and 9D and according to an embodimentof the present disclosure, a height adjustable base 500 is shown with arange of height defined for the inner core 520. With specific referenceto FIG. 9B, the inner core 520 is in a first position 700 which isdefined by the inner core being enclosed within outer shell 510. Asecond position 710 is defined with the inner core 520 extended awayfrom the outer shell 510 as specifically shown in FIG. 9C. A transitionposition is shown in FIG. 9D with the inner core 520 being in the rangein between the first and second positions 700 and 710. The range ofinner core 520 is defined by the range of movement of the inner core 520relative to the outer shell 510 in between the first and secondpositions 700, 710. With further reference to FIG. 9C and according toan embodiment of the present disclosure, outer lip 550 on inner core 520restricts the movement of the inner core 520 by contact with inner lip560 on outer shell 510. The contact between lips 550, 560 assures thatthe inner core 520 will remain within the outer shell 510.

1. A height adjustable base for use in a stick handling training systemcomprising: an outer shell to be secured to a surface, the outer shellfurther comprising: at least one opening; and, an inner lip; and, aninner core secured to the outer shell and vertically adjustable betweena first position and a second position relative to the outer shell, theinner core further comprising: at least one side button lockable withinthe at least one opening; and, an outer lip positioned at a bottom endof the inner core, wherein the first position is defined as when the atleast one side button of the inner core is locked within the at leastone opening of the outer shell, and the second position is defined aswhen the outer lip of the inner core abuts the inner lip of the outershell.
 2. The height adjustable base of claim 1 wherein the outer shellis further comprised of feet.
 3. The height adjustable base of claim 2further comprised of ice spikes positioned into and protruding from thefeet.
 4. The height adjustable base of claim 1 wherein the inner core isfurther comprised of at least one cavity defined by a cylindrical wall.5. The height adjustable base of claim 4 further defining a protrusionwithin the at least one cavity.
 6. The height adjustable base of claim 5wherein the protrusion is positioned on a tab, the tab having two slitspositioned on each side of the tab to provide independent movement ofthe tab from the cylindrical wall.
 7. The height adjustable base ofclaim 1 wherein the inner lip of the outer shell is substantiallycircumferential and wherein the inner core is comprised of four outerlips positioned at each corner of the inner core to provide multiplecontact points between the inner lip and the outer lip.
 8. A stickhandling training system comprising: at least two height adjustablebases to be positioned on a surface, each of the at least two heightadjustable bases comprising: an outer shell; and, an inner core securedto the outer shell and vertically adjustable between a first positionand a second position relative to the outer shell; and, at least onecross member interconnected to the at least two height adjustable bases.9. The stick handling training system of claim 8 wherein the inner coreis further comprised of: a cavity defined by a cylindrical wall; and, aprotrusion within the at least one cavity, wherein the protrusion ispositioned on a tab, the tab having two slits positioned on each side ofthe tab to provide independent movement of the tab from the cylindricalwall.
 10. The stick handling training system of claim 8 wherein the atleast one cross member is further comprised of at least two connectors,each of the at least two connectors further comprising a semi-circularshaped groove and a protruding resistive member.
 11. The stick handlingtraining system of claim 9 wherein the at least two connectors arepositioned within each of the cavities of the at least two heightadjustable bases, and wherein the protrusions are locked into thesemi-circular shaped grooves and the resistive member provides a smallresistance against undesired rotational movement of the at least twoconnectors.
 12. The stick handling training system of claim 8 whereinthe outer shell is further comprised of: at least one opening; and, aninner lip.
 13. The stick handling training system of claim 12 whereinthe inner core is further comprised of: at least one side buttonlockable within the at least one opening; and, an outer lip positionedat a bottom end of the inner core, wherein the first position is definedas when the at least one side button of the inner core is locked withinthe at least one opening of the outer shell, and the second position isdefined as when the outer lip of the inner core abuts the inner lip ofthe outer shell.
 14. The stick handling training system of claim 8wherein the outer shell is further comprised of feet and ice spikespositioned into and protruding from the feet to provide extra stabilityto the stick handling training system.
 15. The stick handling trainingsystem of claim 8 wherein the inner lip of the outer shell issubstantially circumferential and wherein the inner core is comprised offour outer lips positioned at each corner of the inner core to providemultiple contact points between the inner lip and the outer lip.